The Janitor's Boy is the fifth episode of the first season of Silo and the fifth episode of the series overall. It was released on May 26, 2023.
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
Sims appoints Billings as chief deputy to keep tabs on Juliette, whose efforts to solve two murders lead to a showdown.
Plot[edit | edit source]
Juliette scrutinizes George's citizen folder, which is filled with police interview records and miscellaneous paperwork. Yet, initially, there appears to be nothing suspect. The reason why Holston cloaked these details remains a mystery to Juliette.
She finds herself diverted, however, by the incoming reports of Deputy Marnes' untimely demise. Even as Marnes’ body remains warm, Sims steps forward to introduce the newly appointed deputy sheriff, Paul Billings. Billings was previously preferred by Bernard and Sims for Juliette's post, resulting in a natural sense of suspicion.
When Juliette inspects Marnes’ remains, she uncovers a note with “Doris” encircled. She assumes it's another piece of the puzzle that connects to prior episodes. Taking the note, she rejoins the administration group, comprising of Sims, Paul, and Bernard. Bernard suggests that they should conduct a dual funeral ceremony for both Marnes and Jahns.
Bernard comes up with an idea of a romantic narrative for the deceased pair, while considering a “Race to the Top” as a fitting tribute to Ruth's mayoral term, despite Ruth's personal aversion to the concept.
The funeral ceremony proceeds, each attendee taking a bite from an apple and tossing it beside the bodies. Upon returning to her workspace, Juliette encounters Hank, fixated on the Holding 3 door. Having received a burial invitation, he opted to stay back. Martha and Shirley had dispatched him to ensure Juliette’s well-being.
Juliette confirms her state of well-being, but is presented with an interesting offer by Sandy. Sandy proposes to aid Juliette in return for her help in identifying Marnes’ murderer. Sandy, acutely aware of the potential for swift chaos, suggests bypassing the usual procedures to find the culprit, possibly even implicating an innocent person.
To gather more information, Juliette and Billings embark on an expedition. After consulting Charles Martin, Juliette separates from Billings to meet with Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy, we understand, had been Doris’ husband prior to her death and had strained relations with Marnes.
Juliette, wielding her sheriff badge, decides to break into Patrick's house. Although the audience doesn't witness her search, it later transpires that there was planted evidence. Consequently, Juliette decides to safeguard Patrick.
Meanwhile, Billings finds himself in Judicial, where a man named Doug is eager to mimic Sims. Billings, though initially vague, admits to his whereabouts to Juliette, sharing that Judicial receives reports from covert sources. A suspect named Ralf Melby emerges.
The series of events seems to be an intricate scheme to discredit Juliette by implicating her in a false arrest, while the planted evidence in Kennedy's residence would conveniently “surface”, leading to his incrimination. Subsequently, Juliette would be relegated to her previous role, restoring the old order.
Juliette, after careful consideration, decides to take the surprising step of arresting Kennedy.
She finds Doug lurking outside the building, attempting to gain access. Juliette discerns his involvement in planting evidence and pursues him across the Silo. In the midst of the “Race to the Top”, Juliette finds herself in a precarious situation, clinging to the edge of the Silo. She eventually manages to thwart Doug, injuring him in the process, and safely returns to her office.
Upon his return, Sims decides to keep Doug as his personal aid. Aware of Doug's past blunders with George Wilkins and now Marnes, Sims eliminates Doug by pushing him off the edge of the Silo.
Juliette then visits Judge Meadows, relaying the incidents involving Marnes and Jahns and Doug's subsequent suicide when faced with imminent arrest. Meadows expresses disbelief but understands that these revelations could dispel conspiracy theories and finally settle the issue.
Juliette later discovers that Sandy has chosen to relocate closer to her family. Sandy hadn't expected Juliette to solve the Marnes case so rapidly, if at all, but compliments her on her exceptional performance. She also reveals her relief at leaving, feeling under constant surveillance.
Juliette catches up with Martha later that night. Martha, aware of Juliette's earlier precarious situation, encourages her to confide in her. Juliette refrains from doing so to safeguard Martha, but reveals the lack of substantial information in the Wilkins file.
Martha mentions two puzzling aspects of the Pact: the prohibition of mechanization for vertical movement within the Silo, and the restriction on magnification beyond a certain degree.
After solving the two murder cases, Juliette feels that she has won Bernard's trust. Her objective now is to employ Judicial and management to fully investigate George Wilkins' case. For this, she plans to utilize an intriguing piece of bait – the Pez dispenser.
Cast and Characters[edit | edit source]
Main Cast[edit | edit source]
- Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols
- Common as Robert Sims
- Harriet Walter as Martha Walker
- Chinaza Uche as Paul Billings
- Avi Nash as Lukas Kyle
- Rick Gomez as Patrick Kennedy
And - Tim Robbins as Bernard Holland
Guest Starring[edit | edit source]
- Chipo Chung as Sandy
- Billy Postlethwaite as Deputy Hank
- Henry Garrett as Douglas Trumbull
Co-Starring[edit | edit source]
- Andrew P. Stephen as Charles Martin
- Roderick Hill as Neighbor
- Damian Schedler Cruz as Up Top Porter
- Jasmine Imboden as Spectator
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- It is revealed in this episode that Doug was responsible for the death of Deputy Marnes and also George Wilkins. He is killed by Sims for his carelessness in these endevours.
- Bernard Holland is promoted to interim Mayor to replace Ruth Jahns until an election can be held.